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If you’re thinking of trading in your organization’s annual product fundraiser for something new, you’re not alone. The days of going door to door or setting up a table in front of local hot spots to sell wrapping paper, popcorn, or chocolate as a product fundraiser for your PTA, PTO, or booster club are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Once a go-to way to raise money, product fundraisers are losing their popularity for lots of reasons, and they’re being replaced with fundraisers that require a lot less effort (while offering a much better return).
Why are product fundraisers losing their appeal? Here’s what many organizations are saying:
Running a product fundraiser requires lots of coordination and work. From tracking order forms, collecting money, and organizing deliveries to following up with purchasers, managing inventory, and recruiting volunteers, there’s a ton of time and effort that has to go into organizing a product fundraiser to make it successful.
Unfortunately, hard work doesn’t always mean big impact. The profit margin for product fundraisers can be disappointing when product costs, shipping fees, and service fees from fundraising companies eat away at your revenue.
Parents and families get asked to do more with each school year as resources become thinner. They already feel overtaxed with asks, so asking them to take on product sales isn’t always met with enthusiasm or excitement.
Whether students are selling door-to-door or in the parking lot of the local supermarket, the safety concerns are big. It’s much easier to avoid the risk by running other types of fundraisers that still help you meet your goals.
Product fundraisers limit your supporter reach because they are hyperlocal. Fundraisers that are run digitally let you reach more people (think out-of-town grandparents and alumni) without the hassle of merchandise. Plus, no-fuss fundraisers require less effort and don’t rely heavily on volunteers the way product fundraisers do.
Some types of fundraisers are really great for bringing your community together in support of your organization. Where product fundraisers don’t give much opportunity for that, other types of fundraisers do—just one reason why so many organizations are moving away from product fundraisers.
Instead of running a product fundraiser, try one of these other types of fundraisers instead.
Crowdfunding campaigns are a great no-fuss fundraiser that lets you raise money virtually without the same amount of work that goes into in-person fundraisers. Because they are held online, they can reach more donors and ultimately raise more with less effort.
If you’re looking to raise a specific amount for a project, program, or initiative, a crowdfunding campaign is a great way to rally your community.
Events like fun runs and galas are a great way to bring your community together for a great time and a great purpose. While they can be a heavier lift than product fundraisers, they can also raise more money and become an annual tradition that people look forward to each year.
To maximize donations, fundraising events are usually combined with other types of fundraisers—think silent auction at your gala or raffle at your road race—so they’re even more exciting and memorable.
No matter the theme of your a-thon, you’ll be bringing people together for fun, fundraising, and friendly competition. A-thons are classic fundraisers that get everyone involved and excited while raising money.
Organizations like PTAs, PTOs and booster clubs are shifting away from product fundraisers for lots of good reasons—high labor intensity, low-margin after costs, and safety concerns—and embracing other types of fundraisers that offer more reach, community engagement, and excitement.
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